ABC HD is now live

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ABC main channel is now available in (HD) HIGH DEFINITION. Viewers with HD compatible TVs (with MPEG4 functionality) will be able to experience ABC in spectacular HD.

Viewers without an HD compatible television will still be able to continue to watch ABC in standard definition on channel 2 and 21.

To accommodate the HD upgrade there is a minor change which will impact ABC News 24. ABC News 24 will change from HD to SD (whilst remaining on channel number 24). So viewers who previously couldn’t receive ABC News 24 (because they didn’t have an HD TV set) , will be able to watch ABC News 24 following this change in December.

You may need to re-tune your TV sets to be able to receive ABC HD and ABC News 24.

Frequently asked questions

ABC is upgrading to a high definition (HD) service. The new HD upgrade channel is called ABC HD.

ABC’s main TV channel is available in the upgraded HD and if you have a recent model HD TV set – with MPEG4 functionality, you’ll be able to access ABC HD on channel 20.

ABC News 24 will convert from its current HD format to standard definition (SD), at the same time.

Don’t worry if you don’t have one of the newer HD TV sets, as ABC will still be available on channel 2 or 21.

The beauty of HD is that it offers a sharper picture quality and if you have a HD MPEG4 compatible TV set, why wouldn’t you take advantage of this optimum picture quality? It’s available on channel 20.

ABC HD launched on December 6th 2016.

Only the ABC main channel will be available in High Definition as an additional channel (on channel 20). All other ABC channels continue to be available on their usual channel numbers so you can still access them all.

As part of this update we have changed ABC News 24 to a standard definition playout. This remains on channel 24, but because it converted from the old HD to SD, some viewers who previously couldn’t access it will now be able to do so.

No.

No, they are all remaining the same.

ABC stays on 2 and 21 and stays in standard definition format.

ABC HD is new on 20 in the new HD (MPEG4) format

ABC2 stays on 22 and stays in standard definition format.

ABC ME stays on 23 and stays in standard definition format.

ABC News 24 stays on 24 and will now be in standard definition format.

Once launched, If your television is HD MPEG4 compatible, you should be able to receive ABC HD.

If your HD TV auto tunes, once HD launches, you may receive a message on your TV. If this happens select OK. Then you should be able to go to channel 20 and watch ABC HD.

If your HD TV doesn’t auto tune, you will have to manually retune your HD TV.

If you retune and you still can’t see ABC HD, it probably means you either don’t have an HD TV, or an MPEG-4 compatible television set (some of the older TV sets are only MPEG-2 compatible).

If you don’t have a compatible TV, you will be able to see ABC News 24 now, as it has converted from HD to standard definition.

You may need to retune your TV to get ABC HD.

All TVs are different. Your TV instruction manual will give you specific instructions on how to retune.

Usually it’s as simple as the following process:

Turn on your TV

On the TV remote control, click on the MENU button

On your TV screen look for the SET UP,CONFIGURATION or TUNING option and select it

Then look for AUTO TUNE or RESCAN option and select it. Then wait for it to fully initiate

The retune process should take about 4 – 5 minutes to scan for all available channels

After the retune, you will find all ABC channels in the same place, but you should additionally find ABC HD when you go to channel 20.

Most TV sets, set top boxes, PVRs and Freeview devices purchased from 2009 onwards will be compatible.

Those bought before 2009 may not be HD and/or MPEG4 compatible. If you are unsure if your current TV supports HD MPEG4, please refer to your TV manual or contact the customer care line for your specific TV set.

Non-HD compatible TVs will continue to receive ABC in SD (standard definition) on channel 2 or 21 as usual. You will also be able to see ABC News 24 on channel 24.

Yes, ABC HD simulcasts the same content as ABC SD, including captions.

ABC News 24 is HD broadcast using MPEG-2, where the new ABC HD will be an upgrade to the HD and uses MPEG4. If you can see ABC News 24 before the change, but can’t see ABC HD on channel 20 after retuning your television, this probably means that your TV is not MPEG4 compatible.

All materials delivered to the ABC in HD will be broadcast in HD. Some of the older shows (pre dating HD, will not be available in HD). Also our news services are not in HD.

At this stage ABC HD will be available for cable customers only. It will be on FOXTEL channel number 202.

If you don’t find the answers you need here, or by watching the help video, you can also call the customer help line for your brand of TV.

Most common brand contact details are listed below. Be sure to ask them if your TV is HD MPEG4 compatible and then ask them for help on how to re-tune your HD TV to be able to receive ABC HD.

The ABC has grown remarkably since it launched on 1 July 1932. This is a snapshot of our achievements, programs and personalities and celebrates the ABC's contribution to Australian life for more than 80 years.